[nagdu] What we learn from videos

[Tamara Smith-Kinney]

Jenine,

/rotfl/  I'm glad I'm not the only one who does that!  I often wonder if
passersby are frightened by the crazy blind lady yakking away to her dog!

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jenine Stanley
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 6:50 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] What we learn from videos

OK, I'll preface this by saying that I do not review applicant videos at
GDF. I have talked with instructors though to find out how to describe
making your class video though and what they look for when viewing such
videos. 

First off, why a video to begin with? I can only speak for GDF here. Even
though we do some home interviews, we don't get to everyone for a home
interview. This is mostly due to geographic constraints. If we can't get
someone out in your area within a reasonable amount of time, we ask that you
do your own video. Lisa mentioned how difficult it can be to get a video
done. We realize this and yes, it is hard. We're trying to do more videos
along with home visits, during which the instructor actually records you,
but that's not always possible so we try to help find Lions clubs or other
people. 

GDf wants a video of you so that all instructors can see the same thing. A
home interview is recorded, by us anyway, on a form, by an individual. We
all know that different people record information differently. Some people
write down a lot of details while others just give short answers that
sometimes are maddeningly vague. Some people write it all down in real time
while others wait and fill out the forms back in their hotel rooms or in the
car after doing several home interviews. Sadly, one friend who went to
another school was confused with someone else when the instructor wrote down
home interview notes and she was called for class based on a presumption of
her abilities that didn't match her, but were someone else's profile. The
home interview notes were never mentioned in her other interviews so she had
no chance to correct the misinformation. 

When instructors review these forms, they have only what the person doing
the home interview wrote as a reference. If the person is there at the
training meeting, no problem, you can ask him or her what was meant. That's
not often the case with GDF these days. 

We have a lot of field staff and several newer instructors who aren't often
on campus. Someone may have done a home interview and not be there to
directly answer questions. We do all try to keep in touch via email, but you
know how that goes. <grin> some people are faster at getting to and through
their email than others. 

Having a video of you allows everyone to see the same things. The video can
be reviewed at any time too by any instructor. I don't know if ours are
electronically archived but I do believe they may be, so that remote or
field staff can view them too. 

So, what do we ask for in your video? We want around 20 minutes of you
walking with either your cane or your previous dog, in your home area or
other areas you regularly travel that you may find challenging. Show us
particular intersections you have trouble with, the kinds of streets in your
neighborhood, etc. We do want to see you walking where there is traffic,
crossing a street independently and generally traveling a route. 

We want to see you where there is traffic because we can judge your walking
speed based on the traffic around you. 

We can also tell things like gait issues, whether you tend to hold your head
down, to the side, or hold your shoulders hunched over, etc. I can't say
this for certain but I'm pretty sure that learning to read videos is part of
the apprenticeship program and the more you do, the better you get at
picking out subtleties. And yes, Tracy, if the video is shot at the right
angle, we can see you talking to your dog. <grin> Including audio is always
good too. I found this out recently, that people can see you talking to your
dog, when I did a short video about a particular tough spot in my own
neighborhood. My instructor was laughing and asking if I ever shut up to the
dog. Uh, probably not. <grin> And the audio for that wasn't close enough to
hear me talking. Read my lips. 

I'm copying below what we put in the application packet about doing a video.
I didn't write it. <grin> I just explain it. We do tell people 20 minutes
rather than the stated 10. No way you can get all this in 10 minutes. <grin>



 ASSESSMENT VIDEO INFORMATION

To assist us in evaluating your travel skills, and help us better understand
your needs, we require a 10 minute home video.  Here are the guidelines for
the video:

1)	Please ask the person filming to stand in one spot rather than
walking and filming at the same time.  This will help to eliminate the
camera bouncing up and down.

2) Be sure to ask the person filming you to film you walking in full view,
front, side and back.

3)	Demonstrate safe and independent street crossings.  For example, no
control, stop-sign control and traffic-light control using your long cane.

4)	Show your independent travel skills using your cane to navigate in
your home area as well as any other area that you feel we should view.

5)	Demonstrate safe stair travel (walking up and down steps).

6)	Walking on dirt roads, cement sidewalks, paths, etc.  include all
aspects of your daily routes.

7)	Boarding the specific public transportation you use.


8)	Show us your home and work area including your desk area, break
area, and where the dog will be resting.

9)	Demonstrate your walking speed with a sighted guide. Be sure to walk
at the speed that you plan to walk with a guide dog.  Please do not walk at
the sighted guide's speed.

10)	If you currently use a guide dog, please show us your travel with
your guide dog.

Your mobility specialist, a family member or a friend (preferably someone
experienced in using a video camera) might be able to assist you.  If you do
not have access to a video camera, try contacting local organizations such
as the Lions Clubs, schools, libraries, the Eagle Scouts, VA etc.  There is
a disposable digital video camera that is being sold at CVS Stores and Rite
Aid Pharmacies.  Each store can process its own video camera onto a CD.  

We can view video CD's, standard VHS video cassettes or VHS_C video
cassettes, 8 mm film-we have an adapter, DVD formats that can be played on a
standard home DVD player.  We can receive video via email depending on the
format.  We can also view your video on the web.  If the file is too large
to email, you can use a provider for free such as www.yousendit.com.
 Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com


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